Ireland's new cricket stadium at Abbottstown is confirmed to be "on track" for completion ahead of the 2030 men's T20 World Cup, according to Cricket Ireland chief executive Sarah Keane. The project is primarily funded by the Irish government through Sport Ireland and the Department of Sport.

On Tuesday, Keane, alongside Sport Ireland chief executive Dr. Úna May and chair John Foley, participated in a groundbreaking ceremony with local politicians. The stadium will feature:

• Permanent seating for 4,240 spectators.
• Capacity expansion to 12,000 with temporary stands for major events.

Despite minor delays in construction due to ongoing discussions with architects FaulknerBrowns, Keane remains optimistic about meeting deadlines. "It's progressing well. I'm confident that we're on track," she stated in an interview with BBC Sport.

Construction will proceed in two phases, starting with the seating, high-performance centre, and pavilion. A square will be installed this autumn, allowing the International Cricket Council to ensure the playing surface is ready well before the tournament.

Keane expressed gratitude towards the Department of Sport, Sport Ireland, and the government for their support, emphasizing the importance of meeting growth deadlines:

We've still got an awful lot of work to do to get this up and running and ready for testing in 2029.

Furthermore, the stadium will not only serve cricket but will also be available for other sports, ensuring year-round usage. Cricket Ireland will lease the land long-term and will be the main tenant, while access will be granted to other Irish sports organizations outside the cricket season.